Vassiriki Abou Diaby, known as Abou Diaby, is a French former professional footballer. He played primarily in a box to box role, adept at both attacking and defending, and was described as a player who was "languid, elusive, and athletic" that could either "dribble past opponents or slip passes to team-mates". Of Ivorian descent, Diaby also possessed "superb touch" and "excellent close control". Diaby's career was hampered by numerous repetitive injuries, a problem that existed from his time in France. His physical appearance and positional preference evoked comparisons to Arsenal compatriot Patrick Vieira.

Red Star Football Club, also known simply as Red Star, is a French football club founded in Paris in 1897, and is the fourth oldest French football club, after Standard AC of Paris, Le Havre AC and Girondins de Bordeaux. As of the 2024–25 season, Red Star competes in the Ligue 2, the French second tier, after being promoted from Championnat National at the end of the 2023–24 season. The club plays its home matches at Stade Bauer.